The Fool and The MisUnderstood Fringe Dweller

“Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self Reliance

Relationships!  Great teachers!  That quote always helps me to feel better at times when I feel mis-judged or mis-understood.  I wanted to blog a bit about it and hope in doing so that it helps others who come across this problem themselves.  This may be a more common experience among fringe dwellers and those are the type to come across a blog such as this.

Anyway, do we subconsciously ask for these judgments and or set ourselves up for the opinionated wrath of others?  I don’t think so.  Perhaps a tarot card can help us out here so I pulled one.  And by the way what I’ve observed is that those who point the finger at fringe dwellers are those that fear being on the fringe themselves and as so often happens we project our fears onto others.

So the cards we have here to help us understand these types of experiences are one major and one minor arcana card — namely, The Fool and the 3 of Pentacles.

The Fool has no home, no destination, with no possessions.  I have to laugh a bit at the cosmic joke here–currently I am without a home that is my own (I share an apartment) and essentially live in one bedroom.  I don’t know where I am going to be going (on various waiting lists currently) and well, this last part is partly true.  Most of my possessions are in storage and they’re not much at that–I’ve probably paid more in storage rent than the stuff is actually worth!  In that way this card describes my life right now–thus, the cosmic joke.  But getting back to the point now….

The Fool is fed by what Zen folks would call THE TAO, or the Great Mother or The Divine Intelligence.  And I think this is what fringe dwellers who are mis-understood should remember.  It’s important.

Others (the one’s who mis-calculate our life and our reasoning and our behaviors) are mere reflections of energy that we sometimes cast in more important roles than they deserve.  What I mean there is that we put people in a role many times and then we expect certain behaviors or perhaps a particular loyalty or some such attribute.  And then of course, they let us down.  People most all of the time do not live up to the expectations we have of the roles that we assign to them in our minds.

And that is a 2-way street of course.  It’s the reason we feel misunderstood at the same time the other mis-judges.

The thing is that it is we who are judging our own self, isn’t it?  We judge ourselves for not being part of the pack and then we see that reflection.

It is okay not to be part of the pack and this is why I like the quote from Emerson on self-reliance.  it is reliance on THE TAO or the GREAT MOTHER or reliance on the DIVINE INTELLIGENCE or DIVINE LOVE.

Not being part of the pack and feeling the pack turn against us (no matter how it comes about–i.e. reflection or not) is helpful in that it turns us back within toward that energy as described–the Divine Love.

Many times we want others to give us that respect, that love and to provide that sense of ‘belonging’ for us that we can only give to ourselves.  it is like turning ourselves inside out to find all of that within.  We fringe dwellers have done that over and over again, many times.  it is part of being on the fringe; only old souls or experienced souls seem to be capable of handling it.  I see that observing others who seem to be like myself–that’s why I say so.  Reflections? Maybe, but I do observe and correlate and we do carry the collective unconscious within us.

The tarot card of The Fool is all about learning from experience and and knowing that he is one with All That Is–so why worry?  The Fool is comfortable being alone and without attachment because of the inner knowledge that there is never any separation whatsoever and as in the the movie, The Matrix when the young adept says, “There is no spoon”, it is the same way with The Fool.  Even if there is a fall, even if it hurts a bit, it is just part of the Divine Matrix, an grand illusion.

We are sustained by Life Itself after all and not by the others–they only play out a role of our own making to help us see the truth… there is no spoon, no fringe, no dweller and no others, not ultimately.  Conventionally we have to acknowledge the existence of others, the pack, and the world of matter, but ultimately, “there is no spoon”.

It is a gift really to be mis-judged and mis-understood because it is at those times we are being assisted or reminded of ultimate reality.  It is not denial, it is enlightenment at least in the moment of the recalled realization.

I love being a psychic and in touch with various forms of divination and the tools of the trade.

PS— i nearly forgot about the 3 of pentacles but then again writing this blog post as I feel misunderstood today is an example of that card’s meaning.  I often think of this card as doing work.

Planting seeds, GETTING REAL and that’s writing this blog post today is about for me.   Applying your craft.

Many spokes attach to the hub but it is the empty center that turns the wheel, they say.    Emptiness has potential–that is associated with the 3 of pentacles as well.

The 3 of pentacles as a person is one who is highly skilled and has deep feelings.  This card reminds us to apply our craft, our art to any perceived problem or concern in life.

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Here’s Help for Earth Living Irritations and Frustrations from the Oracle! Noise, gentian, mastery, 3 of pentacles and mufflers all relate here!

Here’s Help for Earth Living Irritations and Frustrations from the Oracle!  Noise, gentian, mastery,  3 of pentacles and mufflers all relate here! 

Today I’m dreaming of… not a white christmas… I’m dreaming of a world of lawn mowers with mufflers!

Why in the world do those machines have to make such loud noise?  If we can put a man on the moon, we can make mowers that don’t break the sound barrier!  Can’t we?  I’ve asked myself the same question about motorcycles and 4-wheeler mountain bike things.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it is possible to quiet those machines but the men who make them and ride them (I suppose we should say people—it’s not always a gender thing)…. Anyway, they like the noise, the sound, the motor revving and all of that.

I mean just look at the NASCAR thing and I rest my case.  It is what it is.  But what about the rest of us who relish the gentle sounds of nature instead and feel invaded by these monster noises?  I’ve got to come up with a plan—spring and summer and stupid mowing season is just around the corner.

It actually arrived here yesterday and after dark and in the field across the street from my living room where the muggle man who massacred all the trees there last summer (his property – or so he thinks – so his choice).   I laugh at those who own property for all of this land was stolen from the American Indians who really couldn’t understand how anyone could own nature in the first place.  I’m of that mentality but back to the problem of the non-mufflered mower and the muggle man who is going to ride upon his all spring, summer and fall (thank goodness humans don’t mow snow!) and how I’m going to handle it!

Yeah, okay.  I’ll admit being spoiled by my peace and quiet here.  It’s been heavenly here—like I said quiet and peaceful—for the past eight years.  Now that’s changed!  And bless her heart!  I do wonder about the old lady who owned that house and property before the master muggle bought it–is she cringing from heaven itself!  As a medium I know that the who cross on the other side release attachments to earth possessions (for the most part anyway). Let us hope she does not see or care; her son told he how she loved her home and garden and the trees and flowers.

It used to be a shady and enchanting English bungalow or Tudor type architecture home and landscape until the muggle (who bought it after the elderly lady died) changed the whole look of the place.  Her beautifully landscaped trees and flowering bushes are ripped away and the house front is shingled with wood shingles that do not go along with the brick and the whole English Tudor look—gone. 

Well, how he changes the look of the house is not my concern really; I’m thinking about how I’m going to handle the…. Well, to quote the Grinch, “”Oh the noise, noise, noise, noise, noise. There’s one thing I hate, all the noise, noise, noise, noise!”

ENTER METAPHYSICS:

Now, we all know that what we focus upon expands!  The more we put our attention upon something, the more we experience it and not only that—the more real it becomes and then to top it off,  the more of it shows up in our mind!  Like weeds, it grows, like weeds!  (and muggles mow weeds–so this has to stop!  ha ha)

Knowing all that, I’m looking for guidance about how to deal with it within my own mind and heart.  “Nip it in the bud”, I say. It’s going to be a long and miserable mowing season for me unless I do!  The guy is already mowing his mud out there!  It’s just now turned March and we just had a snow storm last weekend.  Talk about early! It’s been raining like crazy and even if it wasn’t, the ground is soft–muddy this time of year!

Never mind that.  It’s a fact, they don’t make mufflers for those things because if they did nobody would like to ride them (riding mowers) and nobody would buy them.  They’re loud and they disturb the peace—it’s a fact.  Now, how am I going to handle it?

THE ORACLE ENTERS:

I need to turn to the oracle—need some inspiration, some guidance, some advice.  Well, guess what card I just drew?  I thought of the question and shuffled my tarot cards and what do we have but the 3 of Pentacles!

Let’s start with the basics.  It’s and earth card—pentacles equals earth and involves practical and earthly matters.  And this card is about (to me) lessons, earth lessons, and life lessons.  The person on the card always has me thinking of the word “apprentice” or someone who is still learning.  I suppose that would apply to both the muggle and me.

I will leave what he is learning to himself, his soul and the nature spirits. Not my business except for the fact that I need to remember that he is here learning as much as I am.  It’s obvious that what I’m still learning is non-judgment and tolerance. I must use this as an initiation or spiritual test—that’s what I’m getting so far as the oracle message goes as it applies to my question about how I am going to handle the muggle’s marathons mows.

Tolerance, patience and those things and mastery over myself in those areas.  I should feel thankful for the opportunity to practice every time the muggle’s un-muffled mower makes its mark on my ears!

After all, I am here to master my emotions.  This is the card of “work” and in that sense, his noise won’t really interfere with it—I work in the den which is a room farther away from the invading, intruding, insidious, irking…. Okay!  I need to stop that!

And yes, of course I know that blogging about the problem is going to add energy to it; yet, better to get to the core of it now and find a way to deal before a molehill becomes a mountain if you know what I mean.  Besides, if I share this with others in the cyber world maybe it inspire them regarding handling their own frustrations and irritations.  (That’s always my intention in sharing these things.)

Gosh, suddenly I’m remembering the good ole’ days when I used everything as grist for the spiritual mill.  Once when I was getting new tires put on my car (this was years and years ago) at a Wal-Mart, I was sitting in the little waiting area.  I’d already completed what shopping needed doing and besides, walked to the point of fatigue.  So I sat down to rest in the automotive waiting area.  There was a door that mechanics and were coming in and out of and each and every time they did the door slammed louder than any door I’d ever heard!

Each time I jumped even though I knew the slam was coming ahead of time.  There was some sort of motor that closed the door after someone went through it.  Anyway, I utilized the whole affair as a test for myself to see if I could not flinch and jump whenever it slammed.  It was a challenge!

Look at the card of the 3 of Pentacles; we see someone there holding a diploma with what appear to be (perhaps) spiritual teachers behind him.  Could I integrate the concept that the muggle is, in some way, a spiritual teacher that I’ve somehow called forth to help me… well, to help me graduate.  In looking at the 3 of Pentacles tarot card, I keep focusing on that diploma that he seems to be holding in his hand.

Patience and tolerance for people of earth! And their loud machines!  I need to develop a tougher outer skin especially where my sensitive ears are concerned.  I think that being psychic and “a sensitive” is something that plays into the equation.  I am very accustomed to listening to every single sound that comes to my ears which is part of being clairaudient in my profession as a psychic.

I will use this as a test so that I can retire into the west – I am suddenly thinking of that line from the movie, Lord of the Rings.  The Lady of the Wood was put through an initiation by the power of the ring and said, “I passed the test, I shall remain Galandriel and will diminish and go into the west.”  She passed her initiation and I will use that memory and the 3 of Pentacles to inspire me to pass this new test put before me.  I shall not fail this initiation.

The 3 of pentacles is also about the cycles of nature, reaping what you sow and working in the fields; in other words, doing your spiritual work on earth. 

And that spiritual work involves working with the reality at hand—whatever that reality happens to be.

As I think of ‘reality’, I am reminded of the Buddhist teaching about the nature of reality and no matter what challenge I have in life and of all of the teachings I’ve come across, these teachings are what always bring me back to balance and restore harmony.

We can, in fact, persevere through obstacles by remembering the true nature of reality—it is the combination of illusionary energy that is both real and an illusion at the very same time.  Ahhh, that though alone helps us lose our grip on temporary frustrations.  It helps us loosen our grip on any event, person, circumstance or experience that we tend to make too real and consequently causes suffering.

Gentian is the purple flower in the image to the right.

My Herbal Tarot deck (image above from Herbal Tarot and also the Connolly deck) recommends the use of GENTIAN which is a herb that helps to release frustrations and irritations.

As a tonic GENTIAN is used to treat hepatitis, jaundice and liver disorders.  As a FLOWER ESSENCE it is used for those who become deterred by setbacks.

Meditate with GENTIAN and it will help to open the 6^th chakra so that a deeper appreciation and insight into the mechanics and skill or situation will be revealed so that one can see one’s way through a difficulty.

Essentially, the 3 of Pentacles has a lot to do with releasing frustrations and irritations.  It was THE most appropriate card to pull today in my consultation of the oracle about my mowing muggle neighbor and those associated frustrations and irritations. 

When next I hear the muggle’s mower motor, I will remember the oracles advice and think of the 3 of Pentacles.  I will also think GENTIAN and perhaps order some of the flower essence to add to my drinking water!

Daily Divination 6-3-11 Doing the Great Work of Your Life! Here’s Help from 3 of Pentacles, Mars in Capricorn

Mars in Capricorn is the same archetype as today’s tarot card, 3 of Pentacles. Today’s cosmic communiqué relates to having the courage (Mars) to do the great work (Capricorn) of your life.

Suddenly, I am hearing in my mind the old Nike commercial slogan, “Just do it!” This is an old observation or one that I reference a lot and that has to do with the occasional psychic student who laments that they are not progressing and after investigating their habits, eventually admit they are not practicing regularly.

To do the work means to do the work. It’s pretty simple in mundane terms; but sometimes, emotionally, one needs to draw upon inner courage. Why courage?

Perhaps there is a fear of failure or fear of risk taking and it takes courage to overcome such fear.

The part that Capricorn plays is about getting REAL.  Getting real is an archetype of Capricorn and Saturn energy. So we could add, getting real about the fears or to borrow another slogan, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

The archetype of this card involves perseverance (Capricorn is ruled by Saturn—the forte’ of this energy is as the Dalai Lama puts it, “determined effort!”).  I love the way he say’s those words, the energy that comes through his vibe when he speaks those words is quite the message!

Such a great combo – Mars and Capricorn!

Exuberant, passionate and courageous Mars united with grounded, focused and patient Capricorn and patient is a powerful combination.  This epitomizes the meaning of the 3 of pentacles.

So Mars gives the impetus, push and impulse and Capricorn gives the determination and perseverance. Put them together and you have the energy of today’s message!

Tap into your passions (Mars) and use determined effort (Saturn) and “Just do it!”

You will eventually reap what you sow.

We mustn’t let minor frustrations and irritations get the best of us.

There is a flower essence that is helpful for those who are easily deterred by setbacks. It is called Gentian.

Even a picture of this flower kept near the work area is helpful to open the 6th chakra so that insights into one’s skills can be appreciated and to help one see their way through difficult work situations.

One can use the flower essence and meditate with the energy of Gentian to bring positive results as well.

Acknowledge your mastery of skills and release the small irritations and setbacks that are simply a part of life.

Be willing to face reality (Capricorn/Saturn) and realize that the challenges and disappointments of life can be used as a source of strength and courage (Mars).

If you are working “too hard” at it and seem to be getting nowhere, consider taking a mini-vacation to clear the energy and go back to it and try again. It’s amazing how well that works!  We don’t do our work very well when we are out of balance or overly tired.

I wish you a wonderful Friday!  See you tomorrow…

Post Script– another message is to examine your issues with “control” or “losing control”  and as a final note let me add that sometimes we need to lose control or let go of our “need to control” in order to be successful with some things in life that we’re having trouble with.  Where might you be too controlling when it comes to your work or career issues?  If you find that loosing control a bit more (in a positive way, of course) could be helpful for you–just do it!  This would apply especially do doing psychic work; it’s best to release control and just flow.  Yet with  any career issue, we benefit a great deal when we can just flow or channel creative energy without being overly conscious of our personality self–that is letting go of control in a positive way.  Hope this PS helps someone out there is cyberspace.